Medicare Payment Issue Down to Wire in Congress

Despite the intense lobbying campaign of the AMA and the AMC/NOMA, time is running out for efforts to stop the cuts in Medicare reimbursement to doctors. A 5.1 percent reduction is scheduled for Jan. 1, 2007 while both Congress and the Administration push to tie Medicare payments to the quality of care beneficiaries receive. While the congressional session is scheduled to close at the end of next week, a spokesperson for Sen. Chuck Grassley said he still expects some action “before the end of the session,” but would not be more specific. “In the longer term he wants to help achieve a permanent solution to the problems with the payment formula,” the statement read, “He also wants to see movement toward a system where doctors report quality measures.” AMA leaders responded they first need to have improved reimbursement in order to keep pace with the costs of operating a practice. The AMC/NOMA continues to monitor this issue since sending our own correspondence to CMS and legislators on this matter—and the letters you, our members, have forwarded as well from the sample email letter on our Web site. Follow the prominent “Stop Medicare Cuts” link to add your voice to the fight. Or call the AMA hotline and leave a message for your representatives directly at 800.833.6354.